Barend Voorham – the Netherlands

An addition by the author:

In June 2014 I wrote that all Theosophists should build up an Ideal of the most perfect Theosophical Movement each of us can imagine. We are still building up that image. The ‘Naarden declaration’ was a big step forward. A lot of Theosophists pondered deeply about our Theosophical aims and how to achieve them. There sure was a brotherly wish in all of us to unite our forces in the attempt to form a nucleus of universal brotherhood. We are on our way, but the road is still long.

Only the Theosophical teachings can bring the so needed change in our troubled world. Therefore a next step in achieving unity is that Theosophists talk frankly and openly about the teachings. What do we understand of the message of H. P. B.? Should we just believe that message or is there a way to prove it for ourselves? Even if we interpret the teachings slightly differently from each other, if we exchange our views, we all will become a bit wiser.

The one who is afraid of a greater truth does not question his own truth. Theosophists are not afraid to investigate their teachings, for real truths endure each trial. Moreover, we will know each other better if we openly share our thoughts.

The clearer our vision on the many aspects of Theosophy, the better we are able to teach our fellow humans who still don’t know anything of the Divine Wisdom. Then we will also develop more buddhic ideas how to reach the millions.

I strongly believe that we really can touch the heads and hearts of far more fellow humans.

Sharing our views, work and ideals is strengthen the nucleus of Universal Brotherhood that we form. When the nucleus becomes stronger, the magnetic influence of it will become stronger as well and will attract many more people from all over the planet.

Hereunder my article as it was published in 2014:

It all starts with an Ideal. Idealism belongs to the buddhic part of our consciousness. Buddhi gives a vision of Truth. And the Truth is that in the core of our being we are united. It is an illusion, a mâyâ, to think we are separated from each other. Students in Theosophy should know that.

That doesn’t mean we are all the same. Not even two leaves of a tree are exactly the same. So it is very natural that we all have another view of the Oneness of all beings. We all have developed our capacities in our own individual way.

We should use our capacities to build up an Ideal of the most perfect Theosophical Movement each of us can imagine. See it before your spiritual eye. A powerful, international, universal Movement of good willing men and women working for the benefit of all beings. They really form a nucleus of Universal Brotherhood. Thanks to the Theosophical teachings they are an authority for all those who crave for light. They have a strong influence on science, philosophy, religion, yes on all parts of society.

There is an open, free exchange of ideas between the Theosophical workers. A Theosophist respects the honest opinions and convictions of others and gives his own opinion as a contribution to achieve a greater Truth. So we help each other to understand Theosophy better.

Every Theosophist should build up this Ideal. If you feed it sufficiently, meditate on it, at a certain moment you become it. You are your Ideal. You are what you know you should be. Mahatma Gandhi says that man has two windows to his mind: through one he can see his own self as it is; through the other, he can see what he ought to be. We should see ourselves as compassionate co-workers of the Theosophical Movement.

Thoughts precede acts. When this Ideal is an integrated part of our consciousness it will influence all our acts, not only those which concern the Theosophical Movement, but relating to everything you do.

There is no difficulty we cannot conquer when this buddhic Ideal is the driving force in our lives. So we have to speak openly and sincerely with our fellow Theosophists – whether or not they belong to other organizations – about the differences in view, the differences in methods and especially in how we can give Theosophy its rightful place in the world.